Day 34-35 Journey through the Kimberleys, WA

Day 1

Fitzroy Crossing
After an eight hour drive from Kununurra to Fitzroy Crossing, we camped at the River Lodge. It was a great wide open private caravan/camp ground with a great restaurant/bar.

We visited Geiki Gorge just outside of Fitzroy Crossing. No time for a cruise just a swim with the freshwater crocodiles.

Tunnel Creek, Windjana NP

A 147km dirt drive to Tunnel Creek, where we read about the story of Jandamarra, a Banuba Aboriginal man who sought refuge in a water cave we walked through. Jandamarra worked as a police tracker before turning against the authorities, leading a rebellion against the white pastoralists who were invading the Banuba's lands. His full story can be read here: jandamarra.com.au/jandamarratheman

We did not walk the entire length of the cave as there were crocodiles towards the end nesting. Respected their space and our ankles.

Windjana Gorge

We camped the night at Windjana Gorge, where flushing toilets and showers impressed us for a NP in the middle of the outback.

We were lucky enough to watch a recent local phenomenon which occurs at sunset. The freshwater crocodiles lie in wait on the waters surface and sandy base of the Gorge for the thousands of bats which fly out of the caves to eat the insects. The crocs try and snap up the bats when they swoop down to the waters surface. Its an amazing spectacle of nature. 

We kept our distance

Watching the bats 

When a croc actually tries to snap a bat but misses.

Until we can work out how to upload videos on the Blog, see Mandy's facebook for the videos of the crocs snapping at the bats.

Day 2

Windjana Gorge, Gibb River Rd, Derby

We trekked back to the scene of bat eating contest to see the Gorge in daylight. Beautiful place.

What's for breakfast Skip? What's that? No feeding the wild children, even if they are cute and friendly.

What do you want to be? A Walla..Walla...by

Spinifex Termite Mound at campground (next to dunny)

The famous Gibb River road was too rough for our car for the 700+kms between Kununurra to Derby. However we caught the last 100kms.

Derby- hot and dry. We had an expensive lunch at the cafe that overlooks a pier that sends more live cattle overseas. Disturbing. Mandy instead ate a crocodile burger (like chewy chicken-weird).

Broome

Camped at Palm Grove and just caught the sunset at Cable Beach.

We then had dinner at the evening markets. Mandy spotted a market stall that stood out from the rest- The Divination Agency. She could have her future or past told by Miss Print, who typed it up on an old type writer or have it painted by Ms Divine. Mandy selected the written form. Miss Print asked her to hold, then turn a dictionary around in her hands. Miss Print then closed her eyes, turned the same dictionary and chose a random word that was suppose to enlighten Mandy's next five years. The word? "Quieten" ? Maybe children will be quieter around her? Ava said "Not likely". Well at least Mandy got a third off the price for being the first customer. They were lovely ladies with a tough crowd. Mandy is a sucker for dress-ups.

Up to the north west cape to stay on country.